Over £120 million of investment will be considered by the Plymouth City Council’s Planning Committee this week, showing that the city is open for business, despite the recession.

As well as the £46.5 million Life Centre, regeneration proposals of £28 million for Devonport (the Ker Street redevelopment) , £14 million for Efford (140 plus homes as part of the Unity Park development ) and a £5.4 million Lidl development for Union Street will be considered at the meeting on Thursday 20 August.

Only a fortnight ago, a special planning committee approved the Sherford development, which as well as creating homes will create around 100 construction jobs in the first year, while in the long term could lead to 7,000 jobs within the community itself.

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Councillor Ted Fry, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Strategic Housing and Economic Development said: "This level of investment in key regeneration projects continues to show that not only is Plymouth open for business, but it is working positively with the private sector to help create new jobs, new facilities and much needed new housing in a number of our key regeneration areas.

"I have always said that it is vital we have a clear vision for the city. Having a positive planning framework has meant that we can give investors the certainty they need to bring forward projects, even during a recession."

The Council launched the City Centre Area Action Plan in July and has received a planning application from Plymouth College of Art for a new £15.9 million building that will support the creative industries.

Plymouth's planning department is involved in every step of the process. Before an application is submitted, officers discuss ideas with the landowner and developer and advise them on policy specific to the site as well as section 106 contributions to the community, if the proposal is a larger scheme.

Planners also guide applicants through the detailed plans and the quality of the build before making a recommendation ahead of it being put before the planning committee.

(CD/KMcA)